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Obituary for Governor Ellis from The Weekly Raleigh Register 10 July 1861

Death of Governor Ellis,
On Monday a telegraphic despatch communicated to this city the melancholy intelligence of the death of Governor John W. Ellis, on Sunday last, at the Red Sulphur Springs in Virginia. He had been in feeble health for some time past, his disease being either asthma or consumption, or a combination of both. He left for the Springs about two weeks since, and as he bore the journey very well, his friends hoped that his valuable life would be spared for years to come to his family, and his country. But alas! these hopes were destined to disappointment. Gov. Ellis’ death was no doubt hastened by a knowledge of the vast responsibility resting upon him in this momentous crisis in the affairs of his State and his country, and by the unremitting and arduous labors imposed upon him in his position of Chief Magistrate of the State, and Military Commander-in-Chief. He leaves a widow and two children, and a vast circle of devoted friends to lament his loss. He died in the 41st year of his age and in the second term of his gubernatorial office.
Governor Ellis was born in that portion of Rowan which has since been made Davidson county, on the 23d of November, 1820. His early education was conducted by Robt. Allison, Esq., at Beatties’ Ford, in Lincoln county, was continued at Randolph Macon College, Va., and finished at the University of this State, where he graduated in 1841. After this he studied law with Judge Pearson. He entered public life in 1844 as a member of the House of Commons from the county of Rowan, and continued in the Legislature until the session of 1848, when he was elected a Judge of the Superior Court of Law and Equity, which distinguished position he continued to occupy until 1858, when he was elected to the office of Governor of this State, a post to which he was re-elected in August, 1860.
The remains of Governor Ellis are expected to reach Raleigh Wednesday (to-day,) in charge of a detachment of the Ellis Light Artillery, Capt. Manly, and detachments of the Sixth Regiment State Troops, Col. Fisher, who left this city on Monday expecting to meet the remains in Petersburg and escort them thence.
A Meeting of the citizens of Raleigh was held at the Court House on Tuesday at 12 o’clock, M., C. B. Root in the Chair and W. R. Richardson and J. J. Iredell Secretaries, at which appropriate resolutions were adopted and touching and eloquent eulogies pronounced by Gov. Bragg, Gen. Brogden, Judge Saunders, J. W. Thomas and others. The following committee of arrangements for the suitable reception of the body was appointed: C. B. Root, W. R. Richards, C. B. Harrison, R. S. Tucker, and Wm. M. Boylan.
The remainder of Governor Ellis’ term of office—eighteen months—will be filled by the Hon. Henry T. Clarke, Speaker of the Senate, who, we presume, will promptly repair to the seat of government.

Death of Governor Ellis,
On Monday a telegraphic despatch communicated to this city the melancholy intelligence of the death of Governor John W. Ellis, on Sunday last, at the Red Sulphur Springs in Virginia. He had been in feeble health for some time past, his disease being either asthma or consumption, or a combination of both. He left for the Springs about two weeks since, and as he bore the journey very well, his friends hoped that his valuable life would be spared for years to come to his family, and his country. But alas! these hopes were destined to disappointment. Gov. Ellis’ death was no doubt hastened by a knowledge of the vast responsibility resting upon him in this momentous crisis in the affairs of his State and his country, and by the unremitting and arduous labors imposed upon him in his position of Chief Magistrate of the State, and Military Commander-in-Chief. He leaves a widow and two children, and a vast circle of devoted friends to lament his loss. He died in the 41st year of his age and in the second term of his gubernatorial office.
Governor Ellis was born in that portion of Rowan which has since been made Davidson county, on the 23d of November, 1820. His early education was conducted by Robt. Allison, Esq., at Beatties’ Ford, in Lincoln county, was continued at Randolph Macon College, Va., and finished at the University of this State, where he graduated in 1841. After this he studied law with Judge Pearson. He entered public life in 1844 as a member of the House of Commons from the county of Rowan, and continued in the Legislature until the session of 1848, when he was elected a Judge of the Superior Court of Law and Equity, which distinguished position he continued to occupy until 1858, when he was elected to the office of Governor of this State, a post to which he was re-elected in August, 1860.
The remains of Governor Ellis are expected to reach Raleigh Wednesday (to-day,) in charge of a detachment of the Ellis Light Artillery, Capt. Manly, and detachments of the Sixth Regiment State Troops, Col. Fisher, who left this city on Monday expecting to meet the remains in Petersburg and escort them thence.
A Meeting of the citizens of Raleigh was held at the Court House on Tuesday at 12 o’clock, M., C. B. Root in the Chair and W. R. Richardson and J. J. Iredell Secretaries, at which appropriate resolutions were adopted and touching and eloquent eulogies pronounced by Gov. Bragg, Gen. Brogden, Judge Saunders, J. W. Thomas and others. The following committee of arrangements for the suitable reception of the body was appointed: C. B. Root, W. R. Richards, C. B. Harrison, R. S. Tucker, and Wm. M. Boylan.
The remainder of Governor Ellis’ term of office—eighteen months—will be filled by the Hon. Henry T. Clarke, Speaker of the Senate, who, we presume, will promptly repair to the seat of government.